Page 36 - SAMRC Strategic Plan

SAMRC BOARD reasonable protection of the assets and records
In terms of the SAMRC Act, “the affairs of the of the public entity.
MRC shall be managed and controlled by a Board, (b) Act with fidelity, honesty, integrity and in the best
which shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, interests of the public entity in managing the
determine the policy and objectives of the MRC financial affairs of the public entity.
and exercise control generally over the performance (c) On request, disclose to the executive authority
of its functions, the exercise of its powers and the responsible for that public entity or the legislature
execution of its duties”. to which the public entity is accountable, all
material facts, including those reasonably
The Board consists of a chairperson and up to discoverable, which in any way may influence the
fourteen other members who have distinguished decisions or actions of the executive authority or
themselves in any branch of the medical or related that legislature.
science, and up to two other members appointed (d) Seek, within the sphere of influence of that
by the National Minister of Health. Members of accounting authority, to prevent any prejudice to
14
the Board are appointed following the processes the financial interests of the state” .
determined by the Ministry. Board members hold
office for a period not exceeding three years but are The Board of the SAMRC is committed to ensuring
eligible for reappointment. The SAMRC President that the organisation executes its mandate through
and CEO serves on the Board by virtue of his/her its 5-year Strategic Plan.
office in the organisation.
SAMRC PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The SAMRC Board has an established Charter In terms of the SAMRC Act, “the Board shall appoint
of which its purpose is to set out the Board’s role a Chief Executive Officer for the SAMRC, who
and responsibilities as well as the requirements shall occupy the post of President of the SAMRC”.
for its composition and meeting procedures. The The President and CEO is the Chairperson of the
charter emphasises that the “Board constitutes the Executive Management Committee (EMC) and is,
focal point and custodian of corporate governance together with other EMC members, responsible for
in the SAMRC by managing its relationship with the management of the affairs of the SAMRC, and
management and stakeholders along sound reports on such affairs as may be required of him/
corporate governance principles, and that the her by the Board.
SAMRC must be headed and controlled by an
effective and efficient Board, comprising of Executive EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
and Non-Executive members in order to ensure The Board has designated an Executive Management
independence and objectivity in decision making”. Committee (EMC), which consists of the SAMRC
President and CEO and other members, who are
The Board has committees, compromising of mostly employees of the SAMRC. The EMC is subject
Board members plus other members appointed by to the directives and control of the Board and is
the Board. The roles of these committees are to responsible for the management of the affairs of the
perform such functions of the Board as the Board SAMRC in accordance with the objects and policies
may determine. However, the Board is not absolved of the SAMRC.
from the performance of any function entrusted to
any of these committees of the Board. 10.4.2.2. SAMRC Impact
Since its inception in 1969, the SAMRC has had
In terms of the PFMA, the SAMRC Board is the many laudable achievements and has had a
accounting authority, and its fiduciary duties are to: significant impact on public health in South Africa.
(a) “Exercise the duty of utmost care” to ensure A review of the organisation by an independent

14 Public Finance Management Act (treasury.gov.za)

SAMRC STRATEGIC PLAN 2025/26 – 2029/30 35